Humidifier



Sept. 5, 1933. J. M. AYER El AL HUMIDIFIER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May27, 1931 Zmventors Jbsz'ab J1. (E gar 115M 1? 62 #46; W I

Sept. 5, 1933. J. M. AYER ET AL HUMIDIFIER Filed May 27, 1931 3Sheets-Sheet 2 r 7 J AVM m m M V w W m m w :2 M 2 w a v w 9 u 2 w u MM mw w w Jwmh 15 9 87" BB Jbluv 1 (Eager (lttornegs'.

HUMIDIFIER Filed May 27, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Bnnenton! Wilm 9Gttomegst,

Patented Sept. 5, 1933 nurrso STATES PATENT orFicE HUMIDIFIER Josiah M.Ayer and John P. Ayer, Portland,

Maine The present invention relates to improvements in humidifiers, andhas for an object to provide an improved humidifier for the conditioningof indoor atmosphere or enclosed air whereby to maintain a properpercentage of moisture or humidity forthe health and comfort of mankind.

Temperature afiects the humidity in an inverse ratio, so that, otherthings being equal the warmer the air the lower the humidity and thegreater the requirement for moisture. Humidifiers correctly designed andeiiiciently attachedto radiators should therefore maintain an even andhealthful percentage of moisture in the air of dwellings or otherenclosures.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved water vessel orcontainer having a new and improved cooperation in common with thevarious types and styles of radiators.

It is also an object of the invention to provide improved adjustable anduniversal suspension means for the water'container whereby suchcontainer may be supported at the correct elevation and upon radiatorsof various styles and .types.

The invention also contemplates a varied construction of suspension'bandor other means for effecting connection between the water container andthe suspension chain.

With the foregoing and otherobjects in view, the invention will be morefully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed outin the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or correspondingparts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 15a perspective view showing an improved humidifier constructedin accordancewith the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of one type of radiator showing themethod ofattachment of the improved humidifier.

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the device applied to a diiferenttype of radiator.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the water containerwith a modified formof suspension plate or strap.

Figure 6 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the water container showing 'a modifiedform of suspension band.

"Figure 8 is a rearelevation thereof.

Figure 9 is a; top plan view of a water-container showing a furthermodifiedform of the suspension band.

Figure 10 is a rear elevation o f h $8 1 Fi e 1 is a t p pla iew f a w ir' c tainer showing a further modification of thecon tainer andsuspension aband.

Figure 12 isa .rear elevation of the same. Figure '13 is ,a horizontalsection taken onthe line 13-13 in Figure 12. Figure '14 is a .top plan.viewof .a further modified form .of the "container, and suspension baid, and

Figure 1-5 is a rear elevation of the same. Referring more particularlyto the drawings in Figures 1 to 3 we have illustrated a containerfort-he water, which c0.ntaine r maybe made of sheet metal, glass or.any ,desired material in a desired .form, preferably in that form asillustrated, which consists of thegfiont wall :20, .rear

Wa l 1, d .wa ls 22 and 23am the bottomzf Preferably .theend ;walls 22and 23 are narrow and the .front and vrear w, a1ls-20 ,and 2l ofconsiderable width, whereby a flat rectangular container of suitablecapacity is provided with its upper portion open to leave the surface ofthe body of water .or other liquid .in 'thecontainer freely accessible:to the indoor atmosphere.

The indoor .atmosphere will take up .this moisture, the evaporation ,of.which .Will ;be ,promoted and facilitated by the proximity .o-f ,thecontainerto the steam, :hot, water, vaporor. other radiator indicated at25.

The rear .wall 21 is .constructed peculiarly in that it -is providedwith the .rearwardly offset central portion composed .of .the ,diagonalor ;V- shaped conver'gent .walls 26, .the apex v.of .which is providedwith a .groove 2?? for providing aseat for .the suspension wireor band28. .Thissuspension --wire passes all about the container ,in a verticaldirection and ithe .ends ithereof .may .be concealed and secured .withina sleeveor tube 1 29 extending across :the dipper-open portionof theator is indicated at 34. This hub forms the support over which the yoke33 is engaged.

In the use of the device the humidifier may be suspended, for example,as indicated in Figures 2 and 3. By engaging one or another link of thechain 31 with the hook 32 the water container may be raised or loweredand maintained at the properor desired elevation to secure the bestresults and to place same within the influenceof the heat from theradiator 25. It will be noted that the V-shaped offset from the rearwall 21 of the water container fits within the two adj acent' sectionsof the radiator 25 and the fiat portions of the rear wall 21 at oppositesides thereof rest against adjoining sections. In this way the de-, viceis positioned easily and freely against the front or rear portion of aradiator and has the desired contact with the radiating sections wherebyto bring the water in the container under the influence of the heat andthus evaporate same in proportion to the heat giving capacity of theradiator. a

It will be noted that there isone'vertical'oifset 26, so that the devicecan be attached for efficient operation to any make or type of radiatorin service. The ofiset 26 is preferably centrally located, so as to hangvertically between two sections of the radiator. The remainder of therear wall 21 next to the radiator is a plain surface making uniform andcomplete contact with the radiator sections, giving the greatest heatingeffect to the water in the humidifier.

The center to center distance between the sections of different typesand makes of radiators varies andjtherefore, if there is more than oneoffset 26 a perfect contact between the water container and radiator isnot possible. Perfect contact is necessary for efilcient evaporation ofthe water. The watercontainer will; of course, be scientificallydesigned as to capacity whereby to give the correct percentage ofhumidity to the air. 7

In Figure 4, we have shown a different type of radiator 25 having thespacing lugs 35 over which the suspension yoke 33 is adapted to bepassed; thus the weight of the humidifier, which is transmitted by thechain 31 through the hook 32 will be directly supported upon the lugs35.

In case the offset is not provided with a groove, a suspension band 36,such as shown in Figures '7 and 8 may be provided. This is a flatmetallic band encircling the container vertically as in the case of thesuspension wire 28. However the fiat band 36 admits of being foldedangularly or bent into a substantially right angle form with partsfitting against both of the diagonal walls 26 of the offset. Thisband,in case of a glass container, protects the apex of the offset againstbreakage. A loop 37 is provided in this band to which to attach thesupporting chain 31.

In the case of a metal humidifier a band or plate 38 may be provided asshown in Figures 5 the center of gravity; or these suspension wires orbands may be embedded-horizontally in the body of the water container'at a distance above 'the center of gravity such as the band 40, shownin Figures 9 and 10. This band 40 has the loop 41 for connection to the:attaching chain 31.

The purpose of the horizontal groove for the horizontal band is torecess the band below the .surface of the rearwall 21 so that this wallshall come in perfect contact, its entire vertical length, with theradiator sections 25.

The suspension chain 31 is made of sufiicient length, so that thehumidifier may be attached to the widest radiators made, as well as tothe narrowest. One end of the chain 31 is preferably permanentlyfastened to the loop in the suspension band so that the humidifier,suspension band and chain are fabricated into a single memher or unit.

Most efiicient evaporation for properly humidifying the air is obtainedwhen the top of the humidifier is near the top of the radiator. This isalso the position of greatest convenience in filling the watercontainer. Once hung on the radiator, this humidifier need never beremoved as it can readily be refilled, access thereto being easy at alltimes.

In the above mentioned position, it is also easy to see where the waterlevel stands in the humidifier, so that it may be refilled from time totime, a necessary factor in its operation.

Referring more particularly to Figures 11 and 12, a tapered form ofwater container is shown consisting of the upper section 42 and thelower section 43. Both sections may be tapered; or the upper section maybe tapered from the top down to a groove 44 extending horizontally aboutthe container for receiving and holding therein the suspension band 45.

Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the upper section 46 of the container iswider than the lower section 49, being provided with an overhang orshoulder on the end walls beneath which the band, which extends in ahorizontal direction in a groove 47 in rear wall 21 may engage for thesupport of the container. 7

Instead of the overhang or shoulder on the end walls 22 and 23, beads orlugs may be positioned horizontally around the container for supportingthe horizontal suspension band. I

. The container may be made of glass or other material having one offsetsection with the suspension bands arranged in various ways as indicated.The chain provides flexibility and allows adjustment.

In the application of suspension type of humidifier to various makes andtypes of radiators, a

number of variables are encountered, which must be considered in theconstruction of the humidifier in order that it may function properly inimparting moisture to the surrounding air, which is made abnormally dryby the heat radiating from the radiator.

Thus, since the horizontal spacing of the sections of differentradiators varies, we provide a humidifier with only one V-shape elementon the side of the container adjacent to the radiator, so

that the fiat portions of this side may fit accurately against theradiator sections, whatever the section spacing may be.

Also, since the width of different radiators tion an efiicientattachment of the humidifier thereto is attained; 1 i

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in thedetails of construction and design of the above specifically describedembodiments of this invention without departing from thespirit thereof,such changes and modifications being restricted only by'the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

'1. A humidifier adapted for use on aradiator having a-plurality ofspaced vertical heating sections, comprising an elongated, open-topwater container, havingone V-shaped, outwardly converging portion on onewall of said container extending 'forthe full "height thereof, asuspension plate, having a loop thereon, fixed on said V-shaped portionabove the midway point, vertically, of said container, a chain having aplurality of links, one of which being secured to said loop, and a yoke,having a hook on one end adapted to engage, selectively, the said links,and to be supported on and hung from a transversely central point onsaid radiator, whereby said container may be suspended from a pointseparated both vertically and horizontally from the attaching point ofsaid chain therewith, said suspending means calculated to maintain ayieldable contact of said container with the edges of said radiatorsections and to maintain the V-shaped por tion between said radiatorsections.

2. A humidifier for heating radiators having spaced vertical sectionscomprising an elongated, open-top water-holding container, having onev-shaped lateral extension, the sides of which are outwardly converging,disposed on and forming a part of one wall of said container, asuspension plate on said extension, above the mid-way point of itsheight, a loop on said suspension plate, a chain making connection withsaid loop, a yoke, having a hook on one end adapted to selectivelyengage the links in said chain, said yoke and chain being of suchconstruction that the length thereof may be varied in order that thesame extend obliquely upwardlyfrom the container when the device isinserted on a radiator.

3. Apparatus of the class described adapted for use on a radiator havinga plurality of spaced vertical heating sections, comprising incombinacpen-top water-holding container, having one v shaped element,with outwardly converging sides, vertically and centrally disposed onand forming a part of one wall of said container and extending the fullheight thereof, a suspension plate fixed on and located above thevertical central point of said element, a loop on said suspension plate,a chain, one end of which is secured to said loop, a yoke shaped to bedetachably hung from the upper, centralportion of said radiator, betweentwo adjacent sections, a hook on one end of yoke adapted to engage,selectively, the links of said chain, whereby said container may bepredeterminately located and suspended in various positions on andvertically of said radiator.

4. A humidifier adapted for use ona radiator having a plurality ofspaced vertical heating sections, comprising an elongated open-top watercontainer having, in its rear wall for positioning against the radiatorasingle vertically elongated substantially Vshaped projection adapted tofreely enter between two adjacent heating sections of the radiatorwhereby to center the container, a band passing vertically about saidcontainer and projection, a hook member engaged with a-radia torpartyand -a :fie-xible connection between said hook member and the band:at a point intermediate *the height-of the container.

5. A hum'idifier *for usein connection with ra line with the apex of theV-shaped projection,

said band'extending across theopen top of the container andconstitutinga handle, and flexible supporting means connecting with the band at apoint intermediate the height of *the container.

6. A humidifier for radiators having a plurality of spaced verticalheating sections, comprising a substantially rectangular liquidcontainer having an open top with a substantially V- shaped projectionin its rear wall adapted to enter the space between adjacent radiatorsections, the apex portion of the projection being grooved vertically, aband passing transversely and vertically about said container andsituated at the rear in the grooved portion of the projection, said bandalso extending transversely across the upper open top of the container,a flexible chain coupled to the rear portion of the band at a pointintermediate the height of the container, and a hook carried by saidchain for engaging with a portion of the radiator.

7. A humidifier adapted for use on a radiator having spaced verticalsections comprising a water-holding container and suspending means, saidwater-holding container having a vertically extending projecting portionpositioned on the side of the container which contacts the radiator whenthe device is suspended thereon, said vertically extending portion beingshaped to fit between two of said sections, said suspending meanscomprising a portion so shaped as to engage a portion of the radiatorand another portion flexibly connected to the container in such a mannerthat movement between the container and suspending means in alldirections is provided for, the flexible connection portion of saidsuspending means being connected to the container at a point of suchdistance beneath the top of the container as to provide a substantialbearing surface between the point of support and the top of thecontainer.

8. A humidifier adapted for use on a radiator having spaced verticalsections comprising a water-holding container and suspending means, saidwater-holding container having a vertically extending substantiallyV-shaped element positioned on the side of the container which contactsthe radiator when the device is suspended thereon, said suspending meanscomprising a portion so shaped as to engage a portionof the radiator andanother portion flexibly connected to the container in such a mannerthat movement between the container and suspending means in alldirections is provided for, the flexible connection portion of saidsuspending 'means being connected to the container at a point of such adistance beneath the top of the container as to provide a substantialbearing surface between the point of support and the top of thecontainer, said suspending means being of such construction that itslength may be varied 'diators having a plurality of spaced vertical 4 inorder that it extend obliquely upwardly from the container when r thedevice radiator. v a, 1

9. A humidifier adapted for'use on aradiator having spaced verticalsections comprising a water-holding container and suspending means, saidwater-holding container having one vertically extending V -shapedelement positioned on the sideof the container-which contacts theradiator when the device is suspended thereon, said suspending meanscomprising a portion so shaped as to engage a portion of the radiatorand: another portion flexibly connected to the containerin such a mannerthat movement between the container and suspendeding means in alldirections is provided for, the flexible connection portion of saidsuspending is installed on a means being connected to the container at apoint of such a distance beneath the top of the container as to providea substantial bearing surface between the point of support and the topof the container, said suspending means being of such construction thatits length may be varied in order that it extend obliquely upwardly fromthe container when the device is installed on a radiator, said V-shapedelement having sides converging outwardly from, forming a part of, andcoextensive in height with one side of said container, said elementbeing disposed, when said device is in position on a radiator, betweentwo adjacent sections of said radiator.

JOSIAH M. AYER.

JOHN P. AYER.

